Case of Anna Crawford CTF No. 237101
On this 28th day of August, 1895, at Blairs Gap, County of Sullivan State of Tenn, before me, H.L. Williams a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared E.H. Dykes, who, being by me duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: I am 31 years old am a farmer and my post office is Blairs Gap, Tenn. I know the above mentioned Anna Crawford the widow of Lewis Crawford who was a soldier. For the past six years any how. I’ve known nothing at all wrong about the woman’s character; about that time she became religious and swore to try to live a correct life. Before that time she lived up here in the hollow, and while she lived there she used to see the men at times. I slept with her once or twice, about the time you was around her before (notation by the Examiner: "June 1889"). I had sexual intercourse with her probably five times altogether. I don’t know if anybody else having intercourse with her, but it was mentioned that my brother H.B. Dykes had intercourse with her before I did. I never saw anything wrong between them. I used to see him go over there and stay there over night. I never heard of anybody else particularly staying with the woman. All my intercourse with her was in less than a year’s time. She was old then. No, I never paid her anything. I approached her and she let me go with her without any trouble. No, she never told me of anybody else going with her. No, I don’t think I caught any diseases from her. I had it after I stayed with her but I had other chances to take the disease and I can’t say whether the Crawford woman gave it to me or not. It was the clap I had, not the pox. I have no interest or prejudices at all in this case. I hate to make this statement. I wouldn’t if I could help it. My statements are correctly worded.
E.H. Dykes
Deponent
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28 day of August, 1895, and I certify that the contents were fully made know to deponent before signing.
H.L. Williams
Special Examiner
Case of Anna Crawford CTF. No. 237101
On this 12 day of Sept., 1895, at ????? deponent’s house, County of Hawkins State of Tenn., before me, H. L. Williams, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office personally appeared Henry B. Dykes, who being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: I am 44 years old and my Post Office is Blairs Gap, Sullivan County, Tenn. I have known the above mentioned Anna Crawford ever since just after the war. She was first the widow of Wm Persinger who died in the Army. I understand that some time after the war 2, 3, or 4, years, she was remarried to Lewis Crawford who died some time in 1882, I think. She had a bastard child before she remarried Mr. Crawford, I always understood. After the death of her husband Lewis Crawford she lived in the hollow and lived some ??? years and then went to VA and then came back here on the mountain then went over into Washington Co. Her character was not good while she lived here after her husband’s death. She was considered to be a whore. I had sexual intercourse with her some few times not very many. I can’t say how many times -- can’t say whether it was as many as a dozen times. I would have sexual intercourse with her occasionally during the time she lived up here in this hollow. All my intercourse with her was after Crawford’s death, but I’ve seen other men there at her house. She had a bad character down on Beech Creek while she lived down on Beech Creek in Hawkins County, but I never touched her except while she lived here near Blairs Gap in the hollow. No, I don’t know if W.W. Hensley ever had intercourse with her, but I saw him at the house some two or three times. No, I never slept with her all night at any time. No, I never knew her to have any venereal disease. If she did I didn’t take it. She went from the hollow down into Hawkins Co. on Beech Creek before she went to VA. She stayed there not over 12 months, I think. Am not related to her and have no interest or prejudices in her case. I make this statement unwillingly. My statements are correctly recorded.
H.B. Dykes
Deponent
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 12 day Sept. 1895, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing.
H.L. Williams
Special Examiner
Case of Anna Crawford CTF. No 237.101
On this 11th day of Sept., 1895, at Jeroldstown, County of Greene State of Tenn, before me, H.L. Williams, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared James G. Basket, who being by me duly sworn to answer truly all interogatories propounded to him during the Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: I am 46 years old; am a farmer and my Post Office is Lovelace Greene Co. Tenn. I have known the above named Anna Crawford ever since before the death of her husband Lewis Crawford. As far as I know the said Mrs. Anna Crawford has led a virtuous life since her husband’s death. I have never had sexual intercourse with her since his death, but I will acknowledge that I did have sexual intercourse with her before his death and during his life time while she was his wife. I would have sexual intercourse with her only occasionally, but I can swear positively that I never touched the woman after her husband died. Am not interested at all one way or the other in this case. My statements are correctly recorded.
James Basket
Deponent
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 11th day of Sept., 1895 and I certify that contents were made fully know to deponent before signing.
H.L. Williams
Special Examiner
Case of Anna Crawford CTF, No. 237.101
On this 11 day of Sept., 1895, at deponents house, County of Greene State of Tenn, before me, H.L. Williams, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared Anna Crawford, the applicant in the aforesaid pension claim, who says:
Question: If it should become necessary to further examine your claim, by taking the testimony of witnesses elsewhere, do you desire to be present in person or be represented by an attorney, or both, at such further examination? If so, you will be notified as to the place and time when it is to be made.
Answer: No
Question: Should you change your mind and desire to be present, or be represented by an attorney during any further examination of your case will you at once address a letter to the "Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.," giving the name and the number of your claim, informing him that you have so changed your mind, and desire to be notified when your claim is to be further examined?
Answer: Yes
Question: Sate the names of the person or persons and their post office addressed, instrumental in the prosecution of your claim for pension.
Answer: J.M.T. Peltier always claimed he was my attorney but I never appointed him.
Question: State what contract or contracts you have made with such person or persons for their services in prosecuting your claim for pension, and whether such contract or contracts were written or verbal.
Answer: I never made any agreement with him at all.
Question: State the amount of fees paid by your or at your instance, to who paid, and all the circumstances connected with the transaction.
Answer: I never paid any.
Question: Please give me the names of all witnesses that you desire examined elsewhere, with their post office addresses, and also state what you expect to prove by each witness.
Answer: Have no witnesses.
Question: Have you any complaint to made as to the conduct, manner, or fairness of the examination of your claim? If so, please state specifically what it is.
Answer: No I’ve got nothing against you at all.
Question: Do you desire to introduce any more testimony before?
Answer: No
| Witness: J.C. Fulkerson A.H. Price |
Anna (her mark) Crawford Deponent |
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 11 day of Sept., 1895, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing.
H.L. Williams
Special Examiner
|
Johnson City, Tenn. Sept. 13th, 1894 |
Sir:
I have the honor to ??? her with the paper in claim CTF. No. 237.101 of Anna Crawford (formerly Persinger) widow of Lewis Crawford, Co. F, 3rd Tenn. Mtd. Inf. whose post office address is now Lovelace, Greene Co., Tenn, and who is an applicant for pension under the Act of June 27, 1890.
The claim was referred for special exam in order to determine whether the claimant had violated the Act of Aug. 7th, 1882, or charged by her attorney J.W.T. Peltier. The claimant’s address was give as Blairs Gap, Sullivan Co. Tenn, but when I inquired for her there, I learned that she had moved and was living in Greene County. As one of the witnesses referred to by Mr. Peltier lives at Blairs Gap, I, in order to save time, took his deposition before I saw the claimant. I called at her house when at Lovelace ?? ??? work and served the written notice. She was anxious to have this investigation proceed at once. After placing her under oath, I commenced to propound the questions in reference to the points at issue, and she became very stubborn. It was difficult for me to get her to answer at all. She states at first that she had never had sexual intercourse with any man after the death of her husband, but when I propounded the direct question in reference to E.H. and H.B. Dykes, she refused to reply, and showed plainly by her demeanor that she was guilty. After completing the deposition I read it to her and she acknowledged that her statement was correctly recorded but she refused to make her signature saying it would do no good for her to sign it and that she would not do it. I therefore got two witness to the fact that she did acknowledge that I had correctly recorded her statement and had them to certify to the fact on the bottom of the deposition. I knew of no other course to pursue. She kept insisting that she knowed she "wasn’t going to get any pension", and states that she didn’t want to have anything more to do with the matter. I read to her the statements of E.H. Dykes, and she would not deny its truth. The James Basket referred to by Mr. Peltier denied having had sexual intercourse with claimant after the soldier’s death but said that he had committed acts of adultery with her during his life. H.B. Dykes testifies that he had sexual intercourse with her at various times after her husband’s death and while she lived in the hollow near Blairs Gap. I could not find M.M. Hensley as he was away
some where in Hawkins Co., but I do not believe his testimony would be material as I know that it was before the soldiers death when he was suppose to have cohabited with the claimant. Furthermore, I think that the testimony her wit is sufficient to prove that the Act has been violated.
This woman has a bad record. Before her marriage to her last husband, the soldier, and after her first husband’s death, she gave birth to an illegitimate child, then after her marriage to Crawford she committed adultery, and since said soldier’s death she has cohabited with at least two men on various occasions. I could find no evidence that she has been guilty of any immoral acts during the past few years, but she is old now and is in very feeble health. Her throat and neck are terribly swollen.
I recommend that the claim be rejected.
Very respectfully,
H.L. Williams
Special Examiner
(Note: This part of the file pertains to Lewis Crawford. This information was collected before the Special Examination. Of course, I have been more concerned with the information pertaining to William Persinger, but Lewis Crawford’s part in this little drama needs to be told.)
Widow No. 504481
Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions. Lewis Crawford Co. R, Reg’t 3rd Tenn. Mtd. Inf. was enrolled July 1st, 1864 and ______________, 186_____________ Muster in Roll of Co. is the only record on file. From July 1, 1864, to Nov. 29, 1864 he held the rank of Pvt. and during that period the rolls show him present except as follows_____________. The medical records show him treated as follows: No wounds found. the Second Auditor of the Treasury reported to this Department under date of June 15, 1891, that he was last paid to include Nov. 29, 1864, on Form 5 by authority of the Second Comptroller. By authority of the Secretary of War:
F.E. Armsworth Major and Surgeon, E.S. Army Date Jun 17, 1891
Commissioner of Pensions.
Received in Pension office June 18, 1891
Note---This can be executed before any officer authorized to administer oaths for general purposes. If such officer uses a seal, certificate of Clerk of Court is not necessary. If no seal is used, then such certificate must be attached.
STATE OF: Tennessee
COUNTY OF: Sullivan
ON THIS 3rd day of October, A.D., one thousand eight hundred and ninety personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid, Anna Crawford aged 48 years, a resident of Blairs Gap, County of Sullivan, Sate of Tennessee, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Lewis Crawford who enlisted under the name of Lewis Crawford at Tennessee, on the first day of July A.D., 1864 in Co. "F" Third Tennessee Mounted Infantry Vols. Joseph R. Barter’s Company, and served at least ninety days in the late war of the Rebellion, who was HONORABLY DISCHARGED at Knoxville, Tennesee 13 in Nov. 1864, and died the 9th day October 1882. That she was married under the name of Anna Persinger, to said Lewis Crawford on the 29th day of November, 1868, by N.M. Carr, J.P., at Sullivan County, Tennessee, there being no legal barrier to such marriage was married to William Persinge who was deceased about Aug. 1863. That she has not remarried since the death of the said Lewis Crawford. That she is without other means of support than her daily labor. Thane names and dates of birth of all the children now living under sixteen years of age of the soldier are as follows:
William (Crawford), born Sept. 16, 1875
Mary F. (Crawford), born Feb. 20, 1878
Martha A. (Crawford), born Nov. 29, 1880
Lewis R. (Crawford), born Oct. 26, 1882
(Note: As indicated earlier, in the 1870 census, John Crawford is four years old. John was born December 1868, his sister Lennah M. less than a year old, was born 1870. By the time of this statement, John is married. I do not know what happened to Lennah M. Crawford. This would indicate Ann had six children by Lewis Crawford.)
That she had heretofore applied for pension and the number of her former application is NO. 27101 filed by A.B. Webb, Washington,
DC. That she makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the Act of June 27, 1890. She hereby appoints------her true and lawful attorney to prosecute her claim, and she directs tat the sum of ten dollars be paid for services. That her post office address is Blairs Gap, County of Sullivan, State of Tennessee.
Anna Crawford
Also, personally appeard Isaac Eads, residing at Fall Branch, and W.H. Mullennix, residing at Blairs Gap, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say they were present and saw Anna Crawford, claimant, sign her name or make her mark to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of said claimant and an acquaintance with her of ten 10 years and 15 fifteen years, respectively, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
Isaac Eads
W.H. Mullennix
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 3rd day of Oct. A.D., 1890 and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, etc, were fully maded known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
A.K. Mullennix
Notary Public
To be executed before a Court of Record or some officer thereof having custody of its seal, a Notary Public or Justice of the Peace, whose official signature shall be vertified by his official seal, and in case he has none, his signature and official character shall be certified by a Clerk of a Court of Record, or a City or County Clerk.
STATE OF: Tennessee
COUNTY OF: Sullivan
On this the 17 day of March, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and ninty-one, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public of the ------- within and for the County and State aforesaid Anna Crawford, aged 44 years, a resident in the -------of Blairs Gap, County of Sullivan State of Tennessee, who, being duly sworn according to law, declres that she is the widow of Lewis Crawford, who enlisted under the name of Lewis Crawford in Greene Co. Tenn, on the first day of July A.D. 1864, in Capt. Joseph R. Bourns Co. 3rd Tenn Mtd. Inft. Vo. as a private in said company and served at least ninety days in the lat War of the Rebellion, in the service of the United States: who was HONORABLY DISCHARGED at Knoxville, Tenn 13 Nov 1864, and died October the 9th 1882. That she was married under the name of Anna Persinger, to said Lewis Crawford, on the 29th day of November 1868, by N.M. Carr, J.P., at Esqr. N.M. Carr’s residence there being no legal barrier to said marriage. She having been previously married to Wm Persinger on the 5th day of July 1860 who died Aug 14, 1863. that she has not remarried since the death of the said Lewis Crawford. That she is withoud other means of support than her daily labor. that names and dates of birth of all the children now living under sixteen years of age of the soldier are as follows:
Wm (Crawford), born Sept. 16, 1875
Mary F. (Crawford), born Feb. 20, 1878
Martha A. (Crawford), born 29 Nov. 1880
Lewis A. (Crawford), born Oct. 26, 1882
That she has heretogre applied for pension and the number of her former certificate is 237101. That she makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the Act of June 27, 1890.
She hereby appoints W.T. Peltier, of Knigsport State of Tennessee, her true and lawful attorney to prosecute her claim and receive a fee of $10.00. That her post-office address is Blairs Gap County of Sullivan, State of Tennessee.
| Attest: (1) E.B. Ingle (2) R.T. Hite |
Anna Crawford (Claimant’s signature) |
Also, personally appeared E.B. Ingle, residing at Slaughter, and R.T. Hite, rsiding at Slaughter, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit and who, being by me duly sworn say they were present and saw Anna Crawford claimant, sign her name or make her mark to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of said claimant and an acquaintance with her of four months and four months respectively, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
1. E.B. Ingle
2. R.T. Hite
(signatures of witnesses)
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 17 day of March A.D., 1891, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, etc., were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the words________erased, and the wordes___________added; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim.
A.K. Mullinex
Notary Public
The Act of June 27, 1890, requires, in widow’s case:
1. That the soldier served at least NINETY DAYS in the War of the Rebellion and was HONORABLY DISCHARGED.
2. Proof of soldier’s death (death cause need not have been dur to Army service).
3. That widow is "without other means of support than her daily labor."
4. That widow was married to soldier prior to June 27, 1890, date ot the Act
5. That all pensions under this act commence from the date of receipt of application in Pension Bureau.
(Received in the pension office March 25, 1891)
WIDOW’S APPLICATION.
Claimant, Anna Crawford
Soldier, Lewis Crawford
Service, Co. F. 3rd, Tenn, Mtd, Intf.
Discharged at Knoxville, Tenn.
Address:
Blairs Gap, Tenn
Attorney:
J.W.T. Peltier
Address:
Kingsport, Sullivan County, Tenn.
STATE OF: Tennessee
COUNTY OF: Sullivan
In the matter of pension of Anna Crawford widow of Lewis late of Co. F 3rd Tenn Mounted Inft. Vols.
ON THIS third day of July A.D., 1891; personally appeared before me A.K. Mullenix a N.P. in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths, Anna Crawford, SR aged 72 years, (This Anna Crawford is not the one married to William Persinger and Lewis Crawford. I do not know who she is, but I suspect she is closely related to Lewis Crawford, by the fact she was at the birth of one of their children) a resident of Blairs Gap in the County of Sullivan and State of Tennessee whose Post Office is Blairs Gap, Tennessee. Careline Crawford aged.....years, a resident of Blairs Gap in the County of Sullivan and State of Tennessee whose Post Office address is Blairs Gap well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows: States as follows that in relation to the aforesaid claim that thye both was sent for as neighbors and friends at the birth of one of Lewis and Anna Crawford’s children. Martha A. was the child’s name. We both was present and waited on the mother of said child Anna Crawford. We remember the date of said birth of said Martha A, which was on the 29th of November 1880 by places and at which house said Lewis and Anna Crawford lived. Affiant Anna Crawford, SR was a neighbor at the time of said birth of Martha A. and at the time of said birth of Martha A. and affiant Careline Crawford was the Nurse and waited on the wife of Lewis Crawford "Anna" at and prior to the birth of said Martha A. which was on 29th November 1880. We further declare that we have no interest in said case and we are not concerned in its prosecution.
H.B. Dykes
Isaac Eads
If affiants sign by mark, two persons who can write sign here.
Anna x (her mark) Crawford, SR
C. X (her mark) Crawford
STATE OF: Tennessee
COUNTY OF: Sullivan
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day by the above named affiant, and I certify that I read said affidavit to said affiant, including the words__________and acquainted them with its contents before they executed the same. I further certify that I am in no wise interested in said case, nor am I concerned in its prosecution; and that said affiant are personally known to me and that they are credible persons.
A.K. Mullenix
Notary Public
No. 504481 ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE CLAIM of Anna Crawford widow of Lewis late Co. F 3 Tenn Mounted Inft. Vols. AFFIDAVIT OF Anna Crawford, SR and Careline Crawford filed by J.M. Peltier, Kingsport.
Introduction | Index | Pages 1-15 | Pages 16-30 | Pages 31-45 | Pages 46-62